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Conan the Barbarian ~ Basil Poledouris~ This could be the most stunning combination of images and music I've ever witnessed. Several places give me chills!

It's a scientific fact that listening to Poledouris's Conan the Barbarian score increases male testosterone by 1000%. If that music doesn't make you want to cwush yoah enemies and see dem dwiven befoah you, then nothing will.

It's a scientific fact that listening to Poledouris's Conan the Barbarian score increases male testosterone by 1000%. If that music doesn't make you want to cwush yoah enemies and see dem dwiven befoah you, then nothing will.

Well, I'm still very female, but I find the music and the movie itself irresistible. Generally, I watch it no less than twice a month. When it was on On Demand for free, I watched it several times in a row for about a week straight! It did not slake my hunger for this feast of the senses!

I used to go to a Renaissance faire every year, and among the more-interesting denizens in garb were the "Viking Brothers"; and a 6'6", golden-maned fellow dressed in chamois (who was a construction worker in real life), who we dubbed "the Golden Barbarian". One evening, after the gates closed and many regulars were gathered out front chatting, the brothers went out to their car and began doffing some of their attire while blasting music from "Conan the Barbarian". As the pounding music began, GB, who was visiting with my friend and I, lifted his head, listened for a moment then, as if in a trance, headed for the source of the music, leaving those of us behind laughing/giggling as he obeyed the call of Conan. *sigh* I so miss events!

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That's true, but it doesn't make his music any less great. Good artists borrow. Great artists steal. Even Beethoven borrowed from Mozart.

I wrote that in response to this:

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John Williams is great with themes, but I have to say that much of his work is typical of Hollywood - derivative. It is pretty easy to pick out segments that he lifted out of Holst's "Planets" in "Star Wars."

So, I wanted to say, yes, he studied with some of the greats and his symphonic works owe a debt to them. However, most people haven't heard a lot of his other styles, including the jazzy stuff they liked in the Fifties/Sixties, when he was credited as "Johnny Williams". That's why I was so stunned by his work on "Star Wars" because I was used to his early works.

I also have to add this: When "Star Wars" was in the theaters, I was working hours that kept me from going till it was there for about a week. When I finally got to see it, I was blown away by the music! I suppose, after "Jaws", I shouldn't have been that surprised, but it was so old-style Hollywood that it was a joy to me. The next day, I went next door from where I worked (Waldens bookstore) to the record shop and bought the album. I asked those who had seen it earlier, "Why didn't you tell me how amazing the music is?!" All of them said pretty much the same thing: "Is it? I didn't notice." Finally, my boss said that HE had noticed and had the album. I was invited to listen to it on his friend's state-of-the-art system. It was quite an experience; even those who claimed not to like soundtracks stuck around to listen to the whole thing. Later, they let me bring other soundtracks, such as "GWTW" and "Exodus". From that point on, soundtracks no longer went to the bargain bins, where I generally bought them. So, John Williams made soundtracks more valued and did draw much more attention to "movie music". I remember thinking that he certainly must have influenced James Horner when I saw "Battle Beyond the Stars". Is that when James Cameron and Horner teamed up?

Now, I have to mention two people I cannot believe I left off the list: Henry Mancini, specifically his score for "Charade"; and Franz Waxman. I know there are others I could give a mention, but memory is failing me at the moment. I have to commend John Carpenter for scoring his films, especially "Halloween", "The Fog", and "Escape from New York".

My two favorite film composers are Ennio Morricone and Joe Hisaishi. They both have far too many pieces I love to list them all, but I will say that this song, by Hisaishi, is not only my favorite song from film, but possibly my favorite song period.

I love the "techno" sound! I have the whole range in my collection: orchestral symphonic, jazz-influenced, electronic ("Forbidden Planet")(also: love the theremin!), Eighties/tech, and a few of those "songtracks". I remain a fan of Tangerine Dream, which seems to receive a lot of flack now.

Several more scores that I enjoy are:Excalibur by Trevor Jones ~ Thanks to this film, I was introduced to Carmina Burana through his inclusion of "O Fortuna"; Carl Orff's music is remarkable. I couldn't find the scene I wanted, but I do like this fan-made video:

ExcaliburLadyhawke by Andrew Powell ~ Though I usually don't care for contemporary mixed with historical, this seems to suit the film.Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid by Burt Bacharach ~ This is another with contemporary touches, but it was wildly popular back then. Bacharach was "hot", and his music was everywhere. Sadly, his attempt at a musical, "Lost Horizon", was a major stumbling block. But, his soundtrack for the box-office hit has proven quite durable. Watership Down by Angela Morley and Malcolm Williamson (who had to be replaced by Morley) ~ My non-film buff mother loves this film and actually noticed the music. Generally, she complains that music is too intrusive (including some tracks I love), but she likes this score.

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